r/Glasgow Tools

Well, if we speak in general terms, I think above all, that service workers - just like any other workers - deserve to be paid a decent wage. I think there is no doubt we agree on that.


Second thing: of course, I see nothing wrong to throw an extra quid or so, if you wish so and can afford to, but I do have a problem with the tipping culture that tells you it somehow your duty to pay people extra for the work they do and that if you don't do it, you're a dick.


Btw. I never said I don't tip, I do sometimes when I received extraordinary service, and I am also tipped sometimes but I don't believe this should be a rule. And as it is now, it is a kind of social rule, at least in this country, and there is some kind of society's pressure that sits in people's minds, especially in the older generation. I do know that because in my work I sometimes deliver stuff to people's houses and people try to tip me generously. Which is a problem for me, because when I see the conditions they live in and what they order, it is clear to me that they are often people in a much worse financial situation than I am (I am not really rich, but I am lucky to be not struggling with my finances either), and yet after already having paid for my services they still try to slip me a tenner or something because "this is the right thing to do".


This leads to an uncomfortable situation as if I refuse to accept it, it gets awkward and often they somehow feel sorry or offended, because they think that by refusing to accept their tip I am placing myself somehow above them or I think they can't afford it, which makes them feel humiliated. So after trying to fight it for some time, I gave up and I just take tips, but I put them aside, and once a year I do a lump donation to a charity.


So the bottom line is: you should not feel pressured to tip, it should not be considered as a "thing you should do", but as a "thing that you can do if you can afford to do so, but it is in no way mandatory".